Love for Past and Present Generations Motivates Mormon Histo

“Our generation of young people need to know who they
are,” says Mormon historian, Rangi Parker.

This attitude
has led her for over twenty-four years to gather
photographs, journals, audio recordings, letters and other
historical artifacts from around New Zealand and other parts
of the world.

Ably supported by her husband, Vic, Rangi
has gathered thousands of historical items — primarily
focused on Latter-day Saint missionary work among the Maori
people — which date back to 1854 when the first
missionaries arrived in New Zealand.

She says that her
concern for the younger generation of Maori losing their
connection with their ancestors was and still is the driving
force behind her interest in history.

Rangi’s interest
started in the early 1970’s when she was a young mother
with children at home. But her busy life prevented her from
doing more than think about her desire to gather
information. Later, after her children were grown, she had
more time to dedicate to her gathering of histories,
photographs and other items.

Maori history, for many
years, was communicated orally. The early missionaries of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints brought
their cameras with them when serving among the Maori people,
unwittingly providing valuable photographs later to be added
to the collection.

“One of the joys of this work,” she
says, “is when someone visits with us, and sees a photo of
one of their ancestors. They are thrilled.”

Some of
these photographs have greater significance to Parker as she
has come across some that feature her own mother and
grandmother. These treasured photographs are in a prominent
place on her office wall.

The collection continues to grow
as former missionaries and their children and grandchildren
learn of her work and they donate photographs, journals and
other memorabilia.

Even though she has done most of the
work on her own, she quickly acknowledges her husband
Vic’s vital contribution. “I would never be able to
accomplish this work without the support of my husband. He
has been by my side through the years giving me strength and
encouragement.”

Overseeing the collection, Rangi and
Vic coordinate tasks and keep up on correspondence with
their many contacts and friends. Together they generously
give their time to people who visit the collection’s
temporary home in Temple View, outside of Hamilton, New
Zealand.

Parker’s demeanour is quiet and unassuming,
but her knowledge and love for those documented in her
collection is remarkable and feels personal. She knows many
details about those photographed and remembers them by name
and their stories even though she may not have met them
personally.

Her work is valued and recognized beyond her
residence in Temple View. In 2008 she was nominated by a
member of the New Zealand Parliament and was awarded the
Queen’s Service Medal. She has also been featured in
three documentaries aired on national television in New
Zealand and featured in many articles in newspapers and
magazines.

Last year The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints acquired the collection. Rangi and Vic
continue to dedicate many hours each week overseeing the
operations of a history centre in Temple View. The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is exploring ways to
maintain the collection, making it available to visitors as
well as online.

Librarian Randy Olsen and wife Margaret
are on special assignment from the Latter-day Saint Church
History Department to catalogue the collection. "Once the
collection is catalogued," Olsen says, "then some documents
and photographs will be digitized. While today relatively
few people can see the collection first-hand, in the future
it will available worldwide over the internet for all to
enjoy.”

The collection is currently located on Mission
Road, Temple View, Hamilton. On the left side of the
entrance are the words ‘Kia Ngawari,’ which means ‘be
kind, loving, humble and patient,’ and was the motto of
Latter-day Saint missionary and Apostle, Matthew Cowley.

Those who know Rangi and Vic Parker best say that they
exemplify these same qualities.

The centre is open Monday
through Friday 10am to 3pm, or by appointment. Admission is
free and visitors are
welcome.

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